Suspended load carrying system

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of load carrying systems comprise a load supporting frame comprising three or more connection points and an associated set of lifts configured which define six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to a support frame, such as unintended or unwanted surge, sway and yaw, while allowing intended and/or desired surge, sway and yaw.

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority through, U.S.Provisional Application 62/069,428, titled “Suspended Theater RideSystem,” filed Oct. 28, 2014.

BACKGROUND

Motion bases, including inverted motions bases, have been described inthe art. However, certain of these motion bases, such as suspendedmotion bases, do not lessen or eliminate unwanted and/or unintendedsurge, sway or yaw.

DRAWINGS

Various figures are included herein which illustrate aspects ofembodiments of the disclosed inventions.

FIG. 1 is a view in partial perspective of a portion of a firstexemplary load carrying system;

FIG. 2 is a view in partial perspective illustrating the six triangleswhich define separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway andyaw with respect to load supporting frame;

FIG. 3 is a further illustration of the separate planes and theexemplary load carrying system;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view in partial perspective of an embodiment of aload carrying system illustrating an exemplary counterweight-winchconfiguration;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view in partial perspective of an exemplary loadcarrying system;

FIG. 6 is a view in partial perspective of a second exemplary loadcarrying system and a first exemplary theater system;

FIG. 7 is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary theater systemfrom a rear view perspective;

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view in partial perspective of an embodiment of aload carrying system illustrating an exemplary counterweight-winchconfiguration;

FIGS. 9a-9c are schematic views of various exemplary configurations ofcounterweighted lift systems and illustrations of how they effectmovement;

FIGS. 10a-10b are views in partial perspective of an exemplary theatersystem from a various perspectives, focusing partly on seating;

FIGS. 12 and 13 a-13 d are views in partial cutaway perspective of atheater seating arrangements in various loading, pitch, and yawpositions;

FIGS. 14-15 are view in partial perspective of an exemplary theatersystem seating arrangements;

FIG. 16 is a view in partial perspective of a third exemplary loadcarrying system and a portion of an amusement ride system with blockdiagrammatic illustrations of various controllers;

FIG. 17 is a further view in partial perspective of a portion of anamusement ride system;

FIG. 18 is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary liftconfiguration for the amusement ride system;

FIG. 19 is a view in partial perspective of portions of the exemplarylift configuration for the amusement ride system and

FIGS. 20a-20c are schematic illustrations of how a non-counterweightconfiguration can effect movement.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the various embodiments disclosed herein, a support frame, which maybe configured as an overhead frame, is supported via tension memberswhich keep the frame stable and lessen or eliminate unwanted and/orunintended surge, sway or yaw; help retain heave, pitch and roll; andaid in rigging a system of which they are a part for ease ofmaintenance.

As used herein, “cable,” “rope,” “wire,” and “chain” all refer generallyto a flexible tensile and/or winchable element. Moreover, as will befamiliar to those of ordinary skill in the controllable machinery arts,each described controller, by way of example and not limitationincluding programmable system controller 290 (FIG. 6) or 490 (FIG. 19),may be a single such controller, a plurality of controllers eachassigned to a separate set of controlled devices, a set of redundantcontrollers arranged in with fail-safe redundancy, or the like, or acombination thereof. Further, the general references to a set ofpulleys, e.g. pulley 11 or pulley 12, are meant to be illustrative andnot limiting, e.g. pulleys 11 and 12 are not necessarily associated withpulleys 44-45.

Generally referring to FIGS. 1-3, in a first embodiment, load carryingsystem 1 comprises load supporting frame 20, which further comprisesthree connection points, e.g. connection points 21,22,23; and threelifts 10 configured to be controlled independently with respect tovertical positioning of one of the three connection points 21,22,23. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the three lifts 10 (FIG. 3) define six separatetriangles 1,2,3,4,5,6 which further define separate planes configured tobrace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to load supporting frame20, such as unintended or unwanted surge, sway and yaw, while allowingintended and/or desired surge, sway and yaw. Although lifts 10 may beconfigured to be controlled independently with respect to verticalpositioning of one of the three connection points 21,22,23, two or morelifts 10 may be controlled to effect synchronicity.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, each lift 10 comprises a controllablewinch 70, e.g controllable winch 71, controllable winch 72, orcontrollable winch 73; a set of sheaves or other pulleys11,12,13,14,15,16; and a corresponding set of cables 30, e.g. cable 31,cable 32, and cable 33, which are operatively attached to a respectivecontrollable winch 70, routed over a respective set of pulleys, androuted to a predetermined connection point of the three connectionpoints 21,22,13. Each cable 30 of cables 31,32,33 and load supportingframe 20 define two separate triangles of the six separate triangles1-6. One or more connection point of the set of connection points21,22,23 may comprise a swiveling connection, a U-joint, or the like, ora combination thereof.

Referring additionally to FIG. 4, in contemplated embodiments, one ormore counterweights 40, e.g counterweight 41, counterweights 42, andcounterweights 43 are present for each of the three lifts 10, eachcounterweight 40 operatively connected to a respective cable 30 of thethree cables 31,32,33.

Each set of pulleys of the three sets of pulleys (e.g., 11 and 12, 13and 14, and 15 and 16) is typically similar if not identical to eachother set. The description which follows for one set of pulleys istherefore similar if not identical to each of set of pulleys. A pulleyset typically comprises first pulley, e.g. 11, disposed intermediate apredetermined connection point such as connection point 22 and onecounterweight 40, e.g. counterweight 41, where first pulley 11 isfurther disposed proximate the predetermined counterweight 40, e.g.counterweight 41. The pulley set also typically comprises second pulley12 disposed intermediate the predetermined connection point, e.g.connection point 22, and the predetermined counterweight 40, e.g.counterweight 41.

Other pulleys may be present. By way of example and not limitation, andreferring back to FIG. 1, third pulley 44 may be disposed intermediatefirst pulley 11 and its corresponding predetermined counterweight, e.g.counterweight 41. Fourth pulley 45 disposed intermediate the secondpulley 12 and its corresponding predetermined counterweight, e.g.counterweight 41. In certain embodiments, a pulley set may furthercomprise a fifth pulley, such as fifth pulley 13 or 18, disposedintermediate a first pulley, e.g. 14, and predetermined connection pointsuch as connection point 21 proximate the predetermined connectionpoint.

Each winch 70 may be configured to accept a predetermined length of acorresponding cable 30 about a portion of winch 70. In certainembodiments, each winch 70 is operatively connected to a correspondingcounterweight 40.

In certain embodiments, and additionally referring generally to FIG. 3,each cable 30 comprises a first end, e.g. first cable end 33 a, and asecond end, e.g. second cable end 33 b, where each of first cable end 33a and second cable end 33 b are terminated at a corresponding winch 70and/or counterweight 40. In other embodiments, cable 30, e.g. cable 31,comprises first cable 31 a, comprising first cable end 31 c, terminatedat winch 70 (the termination is not illustrated) or counterweight 40(FIG. 4), and second cable end 31 d terminated at the predeterminedconnection point such as connection point 22, and second cable 31 b,comprising first cable end 31 e, terminated at winch 70 (the terminationis not illustrated) or counterweight 40 (FIG. 4), and second cable end31 f terminated at the predetermined connection point, e.g. connectionpoint 22.

Referring generally to FIG. 4, in embodiments, as will be familiar tothose of ordinary skill in the mechanical support structure arts, eachwinch 70 may comprise a plurality of winches 70. Typically, each winch70 further comprises selectively controllable motor 81 operativelyconnected to drum 82, which may further comprise a plurality of drums 82a,82 b (not shown in the figures as such will be obvious to those ofordinary skill in these arts; see, e.g. FIG. 9c ). In theseconfigurations, each cable 30 may comprise first end 31 c attached tofirst drum 82 a and second end 31 d attached to second drum 82 b. Incontemplated embodiments, one or more winches 70 may further comprisesfirst selectively controllable motor 81 a operatively (not shown in thefigures as such will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in thesearts) connected to first drum 82 a and second selectively controllablemotor 81 b (not shown in the figures as such will be obvious to those ofordinary skill in these arts) operatively connected to second drum 82 b.Each of first selectively controllable motor 81 a and second selectivelycontrollable motor 81 b may be controllable independently of each other,synchronously, or the like, or a combination thereof.

Winch controller 84 is typically present and operatively incommunication with one or more the three controllable winches 70. Inembodiments, winch controller 84 comprises two or more winch controllers84 which may be arranged redundantly or independently, e.g. a separatewinch controller 84 for each controllable winch 70.

Referring generally to FIG. 5, in certain embodiments load carrier 52 ispresent and connected to load supporting frame 20. Although illustratedas a passenger seating area, load carrier 52 could be of any suitabletype, by way of example and not limitation including a general cargocarrier such as a pallet or container platform. In some of theseembodiments, load carrier 52 is suspended from load supporting frame 20such as by being suspended underneath load supporting frame 20.

In certain embodiments, lift support 60, e.g. rails or the like, may bepresent and configured to support one or more lifts 10. Where liftsupport 60 is present, one or more lift movers 62 may also be presentand operatively connected to the supported lift 10. These lift movers 60are typically configured to allow for controlled movement of thesupported lift 10 and/or some of its components about lift support 60 ina predetermined plane, e.g. pulley 14. This controlled movement may beindependent of each other controlled movement of each selectivelycontrollable mover 62, performed synchronously, or a combinationthereof.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 6-18, in a second embodiment, seatingsystem 200 comprises vertical guide 202, lift support 260, load carryingsystem 206 comprising load supporting frame 220, and one or morepassenger carriers 252 connected to load supporting frame 220. Passengercarrier 252 is typically configured to support a plurality of humanpassengers.

Vertical guide 202 comprises one or more supports 207, each comprisingan upper portion 204; lower portion 203 disposed opposite the upperportion; and counterweight guide 205 disposed intermediate upper portion204 and lower portion 203.

Lift support 260 is connected to support 207 proximate upper portion204.

Load carrying system 206, which is typically supported by lift support260, typically comprises load supporting frame 220, comprising threeconnection points 221,222,223, and three lifts 210 which may beconfigured to be controlled independently with respect to each other toachieve independent vertical positioning of one of the three connectionpoints 221,222,223. As with the first embodiment, this controlledmovement may be independent of each other controlled movement of eachselectively controllable motor 281, performed synchronously, or acombination thereof.

As with the first embodiment as well, three lifts 210 define sixseparate triangles 1,2,3,4,5,6 defining separate planes configured tobrace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to the frame. Each lift210 typically comprises counterweight 240 such as counterweight241,242,243 movably disposed about counterweight guide 205, which mayinterpreted as including being disposed at least partially withincounterweight guide 205; controllable winch 270 operatively connected toits associated counterweight 240; a set of pulleys211,212,213,214,215,216; and a set of cables 230 (e.g., cables231,232,233 (FIG. 10a )) operatively attached to a specific controllablewinch 270 and routed over the set of pulleys to a connection point ofthe three connection points 221,222,223. Each set of cables 230 and loadsupporting frame 220 define two separate triangles of the six separatetriangles.

One or more winches 270 may be disposed proximate bottom portion 209 ofvertical guide 202 and operatively connected to a corresponding set ofcounterweights 240 to move counterweights 240 within an associatedcounterweight guide 205. In these configurations, the set of pulleys211,212,213,214,215,216 are typically disposed about lift support 260.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 8, 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c, one or more ofwinches 270 may further comprise first selectively controllable motor281 a operatively connected to first drum 282 a and second selectivelycontrollable motor 281 b operatively connected to second drum 282 b.These, in turn, may be connected to a corresponding plurality ofcounterweights, e.g. 241 a and 241 b.

Each winch 270 typically is configured to accept a predetermined lengthof a corresponding cable 230 about a portion of that winch 270. Cable230 may be configured similarly to cable 30 described above, e.g. with afirst end and a second end, each of which are terminated at winch 270and/or a corresponding counterweight 240.

Passenger carrier 252 may be connected to load supporting frame 220 byconnection 255 which may comprise a jointed connection, a U-joint, orthe like, or a combination thereof.

One or more winch controllers 284 may be present and operatively incommunication with one or more controllable winches 270. In embodiments,winch controller 284 comprises two or more winch controllers 284 whichmay be arranged redundantly or independently, e.g. a separate winchcontroller 284 for each controllable winch 270.

Typically, one or more programmable system controllers 290 (FIG. 6) isalso present and operatively in communication with one or more winchcontrollers 284. By way of example and not limitation, a set of winchcontrollers 284, e.g. one to three winch controllers 284, may beoperatively connected to an associated, predetermined controllable winch270 and at least one programmable system controller 290 may beoperatively in communication with each such winch controller 284.

One or more connection points, e.g. 221, of the set of connection points221,222,223 may comprise connection 254 (FIG. 15) which may comprise aswiveling connection, a U-joint, or the like, or a combination thereof.

Referring back to FIGS. 10a and 10b , additionally, in certainembodiments one or more substantially inflexible support rods 256 may bepresent and configured to connect passenger carrier 252 to loadsupporting frame 220. One or more cross-bracing pieces 257 may beconnected to one or more of the substantially inflexible support rods256, e.g. swivelingly connected to substantially inflexible support rod256.

In configurations, lift support 260 may comprise a plurality of rails261 or the like and on which one or more lifts 210 or various liftcomponents such as pulleys, e.g, pulley 214, may be mounted such as onlift support 263. In such configurations, one or more selectivelycontrollable movers 262 may be present and a specific lift support 263may be configured to be connected to a corresponding selectivelycontrollable mover 262 and configured to allow travel of lift 210 and/orone of its components such as pulley 214 about that specific liftsupport 260. This controlled movement may be independent of each othercontrolled movement of each selectively controllable mover 262,performed synchronously, or a combination thereof. As illustrated inFIGS. 9a-9c , various embodiments allow for movement relative to aconnection point such as 221.

In certain contemplated embodiments support 206 comprises one or morerails 203, these rails 203 defining a further plurality of counterweightguides 205.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in a further embodiment, seating system 200may be incorporated into theater 300 which, in addition to seatingsystem 200, comprises theater space 301 and image screen 302 disposedwithin theater space 301 where image screen 302 typically comprises anarea comprising a curved surface. Seating system 200 is typicallydisposed opposite image screen 302 at least partially within theaterspace 301. In a theater application, there may be no inherent need foroverhead winch placement and, typically, all cables 230 are routed overand down to a more convenient winch location. Due to rigging, framestability is retained.

Passenger carrier 252 is typically connected to load supporting frame220 such that the human passengers contained in passenger carrier 252are facing image screen 302 at least some of the time.

Connection of passenger carrier 252 to the load supporting frame 220 maycomprise one or more support rods 253 disposed intermediate passengercarrier 252 load supporting frame 220 and connected to load supportingframe 220 such as by using a U-joint.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-20 c, in a third embodiment, load carryingsystem 400 comprises load supporting frame 420, comprising threeconnection points 421,422,423, and three lifts 410 configured to becontrolled independently with respect to vertical positioning of one ofthe three connection points, the three lifts defining six separatetriangles 1,2,3,4,5,6 (FIG. 2) defining separate planes configured tobrace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to load supporting frame420.

In a ride system, e.g. a suspended dark ride, cable control typicallymust travel with a passenger support frame and be packaged tightly witha passenger carrier, which can comprise a cabin, transport system, or acombination thereof. By way of example and not limitation, load carryingsystem 400 can be located either up in passenger carrier transport 402or down on roof 453 of passenger carrier 452.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 18-19, each lift 410 typically comprisesone or more controllable motors 481; one or more drums 482 operativelyconnected to a corresponding controllable motor 481 and configured toaccept a predetermined length of a corresponding cable 430 about aportion of each such drum 482; a set of pulleys 411,412,413,414,415,416;and one or more cables 430, e.g. cables 431,432,433 routed over the setof pulleys and to, and in some embodiments through, a predeterminedconnection point of the three connection points 421,422,423. Each cable430 typically comprises first cable end 436 a attached to drum 482 andsecond cable end 436 b cooperatively attached to drum 482. As before,each cable 430 and its associated portion of load supporting loadsupporting frame 420 define two separate triangles of the six separatetriangles.

In an embodiment, each set of pulleys of the three sets of pulleyscomprises a first pulley, e.g. pulley 411, disposed intermediate apredetermined connection point of the three connection points, e.g. 421,and a second pulley, e.g. pulley 412, disposed opposite the first pulleyintermediate the predetermined connection point of the three connectionpoints and a drum of the associated lift 410, e.g. drum 482.

As in the other embodiments, controllable motor 481 may comprise aplurality of controllable motors, e.g. 481 a, 481 b, 481 c. Eachcontrollable motor 481 may be configured to be controlled synchronouslyand/or independently of each other controllable motor 481. Moreover,drum 482 may comprise a plurality of drums 482 a,482 b. In theseconfigurations, each drum 482 a,482 b is typically operatively connectedto a distinct controllable motor, e.g. 481 a. In other embodiments, eachdrum 482 may be operatively connected to a distinct controllable motor,e.g. drum 482 a may be connected to 481 a and drum 482 b to a collocatedbut separate, distinctly controllable motor (not shown in the figures).In embodiments where drum 482 comprises a plurality of drums, e.g. drums482 a and 482 b, cable 430 typically comprises first cable end 436 aattached to first drum 482 a and second end 436 b attached to seconddrum 482 b. As in other embodiments, each cable 430 may comprise two ormore separate cables 430.

One or more motor controllers 484 may be present and operatively incommunication with one or more controllable motors 481. The plurality ofcontrollable motors 481 may be configured to be controlled synchronouslyand/or independently.

In embodiments, each controllable motor 481 controls verticalpositioning of one of the frame swivel attachments such as may be at aconnection point, e.g. 421. Various types of exemplary non-counterweightpositioning is illustrated in FIGS. 20a -20 c.

Referring back to FIGS. 16-17, load carrying system 400 typicallycomprises lift support 460, disposed intermediate load supporting frame420 and lifts 410 and configured to support lifts 410. In embodiments,lift support 460 usually comprises a shape substantially congruent witha shape of load supporting frame 420. The set of pulleys411,412,413,414,415,416 is typically disposed towards an outer boundaryof lift support 460 and/or between its supported pulleys.

Load carrying system 400 may further comprise one or more lift movers462 operatively connected to one or more supported lifts 410. Each liftmover 462 may be configured to allow for controlled movement of itsassociated, supported lift 410 about lift support 460 in a predeterminedplane, e.g. along an outer boundary of lift support 460. For embodimentswith multiple controllable motors 481, lift mover 462 may comprise aplurality of lift movers 462, e.g. a first lift mover 462, operativelyconnected to first controllable motor 481 a and operatively configuredto allow for controlled movement of first controllable motor 481 a aboutlift support 460 in a predetermined plane and a second lift mover 462,operatively connected to second controllable motor 481 b and operativelyconfigured to allow for controlled movement of second controllable motor481 b about lift support 460 in the predetermined plane.

Amusement ride seating system 500 may incorporate load carrying system400 and load carrier 450 which is typically connected to load supportingframe 420. In embodiments, load carrier 450 is suspended from loadsupporting frame 420.

In an embodiment, amusement ride seating system 500 further comprisespassenger carrier support 401, which can comprise one or more tracks orrails or the like, passenger carrier motion base 470, and passengercarrier 452. One or more passenger carrier motion base controllers 473are operatively in communication with controllable passenger carriermotion base mover 470.

Passenger carrier motion base 470 is movably in communication with andtypically suspended underneath passenger carrier support 401 andtypically comprises one or more controllable passenger carrier motionbase movers 403 in communication with passenger carrier support 401.Controllable passenger carrier motion base movers 403 are configured tocontrollably move passenger carrier motion base 470 about passengercarrier support 401.

Passenger carrier motion base 470 may further comprise rotator 471 andturntable 472, where turntable 472 is rotatably connected to rotator 471about a rotational center of turntable 472 and operatively incommunication with programmable system controller 490. All or a portionof rotator 471 and/or turntable 472 and/or passenger carrier motion base470 may be located above passenger carrier support 401 such thatpassenger carrier support 401 is disposed in-between one or more ofthose components and passenger carrier 452.

Passenger carrier 452 may be suspended underneath and supported bypassenger carrier motion base 470. Passenger carrier 452 is usuallyconfigured to accommodate passenger seating for one or more passengers.In these configurations, load carrying system 450 is typically connectedto passenger carrier motion base 470 and passenger carrier 452 anddisposed intermediate passenger carrier motion base 470 and passengercarrier 452.

Passenger carrier 452 may or may not comprise roof 453. Lifts 410 aretypically located proximate passenger carrier transport 402 and whereroof 453 is present lifts 410 may be located proximate roof 453. Asbefore, the plurality of controllable motors 481 may be configured to becontrolled synchronously or independently. By way of further example andnot limitation, simultaneous rotational movement of controllable motors481 for a given lift 410 may operate to move passenger carrier 452 upand down relative to passenger carrier support 402.

One or more programmable system controllers 490 are operatively incommunication with passenger carrier motion base controller 473 andmotor controller 484.

Lifts 410 may be configured such that that rotational movement in afirst direction imparts a lengthening of first cable portion 431 c and ashortening of second cable portion 431 d, and reversing the rotationmovement accomplished the opposite effect.

In the operation of various embodiments, in a first embodiment a loadsupported by frame 20 may be supported while bracing against surge, swayand yaw with respect to frame 20 by providing load carrying system 1,which is as described above. For each lift 10 of the three lifts 10,first end 33 a of each cable 30 is connected to an associatedcontrollable winch, e.g. controllable winch 70. Cable 30 is routed overan associated set of pulleys 11,12,13,14,15,16 to and, in someembodiments through, a predetermined connection point of the threeconnection points 21,22,23. Second end 33 b of each cable 30 is thenconnected to its corresponding controllable winch 70 and lifts 10 usedto support frame 20 while bracing against surge, sway and yaw withrespect to frame 20 by altering a relative length of cable 30. Asdescribed herein, cable 30 may comprise a single, continuous cable 30with two separate ends, 33 a and 33 b or two separate cables 31 a and 31b.

Each lift 10 may be controlled independently of each other lift 10.Where controllable winch 70 comprises first selectively controllablemotor 81 a, first drum 82 a operatively connected to first selectivelycontrollable motor 81 a, second selectively controllable motor 81 b, andsecond drum 82 b operatively connected to second selectivelycontrollable motor 81 b, using lifts 10 to support frame 20 whilebracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect to frame 20 by alteringa relative length of cable 30 may further comprise controlling each offirst selectively controllable motors 81 a and 81 b independently and/orsynchronously.

In a further embodiment seating system 200 which is load braced againstsurge, sway and yaw may be provided by providing vertical guide 202,which is as described above and load carrying system 206 supported bylift support 260, as described above.

For each of lifts 210, ends of each cable 230 are connected to itsrespective associated counterweight, e.g. counterweight 240. Cable 230is routed over an associated set of pulleys 211,212,213,214,215,216 andto, and in some embodiments through, a predetermined connection point ofthe three connection points 221,222,223.

As described above, passenger carrier 252 is connected to loadsupporting system 220 and configured to support a plurality of humanpassengers.

Lifts 210 are used to support load carrying system 206 while bracingagainst surge, sway and yaw with respect to 220 frame by altering arelative length of one or more cables 230. Each lift 210 may becontrolled independently of each other lift 210, synchronously, or acombination thereof.

In embodiments where seating system 200 further comprises one or morewinch controllers 284 operatively connected to each controllable winch270 and one or more programmable system controllers 290 operatively incommunication with one or more winch controllers 284, using lifts 210 tosupport load carrying system 206 may further comprise using one or moreof the programmable system controllers 290 to issue one or more commandsto one or more of the winch controllers 284 to effect a desired positionof each counterweight 240 with respect to each counterweight'sassociated counterweight guide, e.g. 205.

In a further embodiment, presentation of an image within a theater maycomprise providing theater 300, as described above, and creating avisual and/or audiovisual presentation susceptible to perception ofmovement. A software program is created to affect movement of passengercarrier 252 which is synchronized to the visual presentation.

One or more passengers are allowed to enter passenger carrier 252 and,at a predetermined time, the visual presentation is displayed on imagescreen 302. As it is being displayed, the software program, running inprogrammable system controller 290, is used to control each controllablewinch 270 to affect movement of passenger carrier 252 synchronized tothe displayed presentation.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13a-13d , various pitch and roll motions can beachieved using the ropes and their associated winch/motor/pulleyassemblies:

In a further embodiment, travel of amusement ride vehicle such aspassenger carrier 452, as in a dark ride system, comprises providingpassenger carrier support 401, which is as described above. Passengercarrier motion base mover 403 is supported by passenger carrier support401. Controllable passenger carrier motion base 470 is supported bypassenger carrier motion base mover 403.

In a preferred embodiment, passenger carrier 452 is suspended underneathand supported by passenger carrier motion base 470, where passengercarrier 452 is as described above. As described above, controllablepassenger carrier motion base 470 is configured to impart motion topassenger carrier 452 with a plurality of degrees of freedom.

One or more programmable system controllers 490 are placed intocommunication with one or more passenger carrier motion base controllers473, one or more motor controllers 484, and one or more passengercarrier mover controllers 474.

One or more passenger carrier mover controllers 474 are placed intocommunication with an associated set of controllable passenger carrierbase movers 403 and a predetermined set of passenger carrier movercontrol signals sent from programmable system controllers 490 topassenger carrier mover controllers 474 which effectively command thepassenger carrier mover controllers 474 to send a further predeterminedset of passenger carrier mover control signals to passenger carriermovers 403 to effect movement of passenger carrier mover 403 aboutpassenger carrier support 401.

Additionally, passenger carrier motion base controller 473 isoperatively placed the in communication with controllable passengercarrier motion base 470 and a further predetermined set of motion basecontrol signals sent from one or more programmable system controllers490 to one or more passenger carrier motion base controllers 474 tocommand passenger carrier motion base controllers 474 to send a furtherpredetermined set of motion base control signals to controllablepassenger carrier motion bases 470 to affect movement of the associatedpassenger carrier motion base 470.

Further, motor controllers 484 may be placed into communication with anassociated set of controllable motors 481 and a further predeterminedset of motor control signals sent from programmable system controllers490 to one or more motor controllers 484, commanding them to send afurther predetermined set of motor control signals to each controllablemotor 481 to affect altering a relative length of one or more of theirassociated cables 460 to achieve bracing against surge, sway and yawwith respect to frame 420.

In various embodiments, passenger carrier 452 travels along a length ofpassenger carrier support 401. In other embodiments, passenger carrier452 may be guided along a predetermined path, suspended from passengercarrier transport 402 which comprises passenger carrier motion base 470capable of further movements, e.g. circumferentially with respect to aconnector and/or supporting the traversal of a path defined by passengercarrier support 401. Movement may be achieved by lifting or loweringpassenger carrier 452 at various positions from cables or chainsattached to load carrying system 450, e.g. cables 430.

In certain embodiments, passengers move into boarding space such as 305(FIG. 11) where they board a passenger carrier such as passenger carrier252 (FIG. 11) or 452 (FIG. 21) while the passenger carrier is in a firstor boarding position, e.g. FIG. 12. In various embodiments, theater ridesystem 300 or 500 may be designed such that, when in boarding space 305,passengers see no indication that they are in a motion simulationtheater, e.g. FIG. 11. In other embodiments, theater ride system 300 or500 may be designed such that when passengers board a passenger carriersuch as 252 or 452 they know will be traversing a ride work space.

In some embodiments, after the passengers have boarded, the passengercarrier, e.g. 252 (e.g., FIGS. 12-13 d) or 452 (FIG. 16), is moved intoone or more further viewing positions, where passengers view 2D or 3Dvisual images displayed on an image screen such as image screen 302. Incertain embodiments, this movement may be achieved by lifting orlowering a passenger carrier such as 252 from cables, e.g. 230, attachedto a lifting system such as 260 near the top of the theater and movementis substantially vertical, as illustrated in FIGS. 13a-13d . In otherembodiments, a passenger carrier such as 452 is moved along a path suchas passenger carrier support 401 (FIG. 16) into one or more furtherviewing positions, where passengers view 2D or 3D visual imagesdisplayed on a screen or items otherwise presented to them, by way ofexample and not limitation including animatronic figures and the like,as illustrated in FIGS. 16-07. In either embodiment, additional movementmay be achieved by lifting or lowering the passenger carrier from cablessuch as 230 or 430 attached to a load carrying system such as 250 or450. This lifting may occur while the passenger carrier, e.g. 452, istraversing a path such as passenger carrier transport 402.

In each theater or ride system, the passenger carrier may have multiplerows of seats, which may additionally tilt front to back, optionallywith actuators acting upon the seats to create the impression of forwardmovement.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions areillustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, andmaterials, as well as in the details of the illustrative constructionand/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A load carrying system, comprising: a. aload supporting frame comprising three connection points; and b. threelifts, each lift of the three lifts configured to be controlledindependently of the other lifts of the three lifts with respect tovertical positioning of a connection point of the three connectionpoints associated with a specific lift of the three lifts, the threelifts defining six separate triangles defining separate planesconfigured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to theframe, each lift comprising: i. a controllable winch; ii. a set ofpulleys; and iii. a cable comprising a first end and a second endoperatively attached to the controllable winch, the cable routed overthe set of pulleys to a single predetermined connection point of thethree connection points, the cable and the load supporting framedefining two separate triangles of the six separate triangles.
 2. Theload carrying system of claim 1, further comprising a counterweight foreach of the three lifts, each counterweight operatively connected to thefirst end and the second end of a respective cable of the three cables.3. The load carrying system of claim 2, wherein each set of pulleys ofthe three sets of pulleys comprises: a. a first pulley disposedintermediate a predetermined connection point of the three connectionpoints and a predetermined counterweight of the three counterweightsproximate the predetermined counterweight of the three counterweights;and b. a second pulley disposed intermediate the predeterminedconnection point of the three connection points and the predeterminedcounterweight of the three counterweights proximate the predeterminedcounterweight of the three counterweights.
 4. The load carrying systemof claim 3, further comprising a. a third pulley disposed intermediatethe first pulley and the predetermined counterweight of the threecounterweights; and b. a fourth pulley disposed intermediate the secondpulley and the predetermined counterweight of the three counterweights.5. The load carrying system of claim 1, wherein the connection pointcomprises a swivel.
 6. The load carrying system of claim 1, furthercomprising a winch controller operatively in communication with each ofthe three controllable winches.
 7. The load carrying system of claim 1,further comprising a load carrier connected to and suspended from theload supporting frame.
 8. The load carrying system of claim 1, whereineach winch is configured to accept a predetermined length of acorresponding cable about a portion of the winch.
 9. The load carryingsystem of claim 1, wherein each first end and second end of each cableis terminated at its associated controllable winch.
 10. The loadcarrying system of claim 1, wherein each cable comprises: a. a firstcable section comprising the first end, the first end being terminatedat the cable's associated controllable winch, and a third end terminatedat the predetermined connection point; and b. a second cable sectioncomprising the second end terminated at the cable's associatedcontrollable winch and a fourth end terminated at the same predeterminedconnection point.
 11. The load carrying system of claim 1, wherein thecontrollable winch comprises a plurality of controllable winches. 12.The load carrying system of claim 1, wherein the controllable winchfurther comprises: a. a selectively controllable motor; and b. a drumoperatively connected to the selectively controllable motor.
 13. Theload carrying system of claim 1, further comprising: a. a lift supportconfigured to support a predetermined lift of the three lifts; and b. alift mover operatively connected to the supported lift and configured toallow for controlled movement of the supported lift about the support ina predetermined plane.
 14. The load carrying system of claim 13,wherein: a. the drum comprises a plurality of drums; and b. the cablecomprises: i. the first end attached to a first drum of the plurality ofdrums; and ii. the second end attached to a second drum of the pluralityof drums.
 15. The load carrying system of claim 1, wherein thecontrollable winch further comprises: a. a first selectivelycontrollable motor; b. a second selectively controllable motor; c. afirst drum operatively connected to the first selectively controllablemotor; and d. a second drum operatively connected to the secondselectively controllable motor.
 16. The load carrying system of claim15, wherein the first selectively controllable motor is controllableindependently of the second selectively controllable motor.
 17. A methodof supporting a load supported by a frame while bracing against surge,sway and yaw with respect to the frame, comprising: a. providing a loadcarrying system, comprising: i. a load supporting frame comprising threeconnection points; and ii. three lifts configured to be controlledindependently with respect to vertical positioning of one of the threeconnection points, the three lifts defining six separate trianglesdefining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yawwith respect to the frame, each lift comprising:
 1. a controllablewinch;
 2. a set of pulleys; and
 3. a substantially continuous cablecomprising a first end and a second end operatively attached to thecontrollable winch, routed over the set of pulleys, and routed to apredetermined connection point of the three connection points, the cableand the load supporting frame defining two separate triangles of the sixseparate triangles; b. for each lift of the three lifts, i. connectingthe first end of each cable to an associated controllable winch; ii.routing each connected cable over an associated set of pulleys; iii.routing each connected cable to a predetermined connection point of thethree connection points; and iv. connecting the second end of eachrouted cable to the corresponding a controllable winch; and c. using thelifts to support the frame while bracing against surge, sway and yawwith respect to the frame by altering a relative length of apredetermined cable of the three lifts' cables.
 18. The method ofsupporting a load supported by a frame while bracing against surge, swayand yaw with respect to the frame of claim 17, wherein each lift iscontrolled independently of each other lift.
 19. The method ofsupporting a load supported by a frame while bracing against surge, swayand yaw with respect to the frame of claim 17, wherein: a. eachcontrollable winch further comprises: i. a first selectivelycontrollable motor; ii. a first drum operatively connected to the firstselectively controllable motor; iii. a second selectively controllablemotor; and iv. a second drum operatively connected to the secondselectively controllable motor; and b. using the lifts to support theframe while bracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect to theframe by altering a relative length of a cable further comprisescontrolling each of the first selectively controllable motor and thesecond selectively controllable motor synchronously.
 20. The method ofsupporting a load supported by a frame while bracing against surge, swayand yaw with respect to the frame of claim 17, wherein: a. eachcontrollable winch further comprises: i. a first selectivelycontrollable motor; ii. a first drum operatively connected to the firstselectively controllable motor; iii. a second selectively controllablemotor; and iv. a second drum operatively connected to the secondselectively controllable motor; and b. using the lifts to support theframe while bracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect to theframe by altering a relative length of a cable further comprisescontrolling each of the first selectively controllable motor and thesecond selectively controllable motor independently.